Hillary Clinton Accuses Bernie Sanders of 'Flip-Flopping' on Guns
Both appeared on "This Week" ahead of Democratic debate.
CHARLESTON, South Carolina— -- Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton accused Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders of flip-flopping by voicing support for new legislation that would overturn a law protecting gun manufacturers and sellers from a wide range of lawsuits.
“He flip-flopped last night,” Clinton told George Stephanopoulos Sunday on ABC's "This Week," referring to Sanders’ new support of bills introduced in the Senate and the House by Rep. Adam Schiff and Sen. Richard Blumenthal that would amend a law that grants broad immunity to gun manufacturers and sellers.
"I’m delighted that he has had a change of heart. I think that’s all for the good,” Clinton added. "I welcome Senator Sanders moving on one of the issues he was wrong on. I hope he will continue to move.”
Her comments came ahead of the Sunday's Democratic presidential debate in Charleston, South Carolina, where it’s expected the two candidates, along with former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, will face off over their positions on guns. The debate will be held down the street from Emanuel AME Church, where nine people were killed last year in a mass shooting.
On Saturday night, the Vermont senator released a statement saying he supported a new bill being circulated in Congress that would repeal the liability protections for gun manufacturers and sellers. He reiterated his position Sunday during an interview on “This Week."
“I think the bill makes a lot of sense,” Sanders said. "What we will do is be supportive of this legislation.”
Sanders voted in favor of that underlying law passed in 2005 while Clinton voted against it -- a difference she points to often.